Author's Notes: Well, I certainly didn't expect reviews until like after a few years maybe, or maybe not at all. Anyway, thanks for the reviews and for reading this story of mine. Other stories are on hold so stories of mine like this one can continue on and I would have the time to work on them. The world that the story happens in is called Snarleos and is my made up world with different mythical and legendary creatures, including my own.

As for the question: Takeru would appear later on in the story; the ranger is Sinzo Tracker, my own character and an outcast elven ranger. Some background of both Hikari and Sinzo is in this chapter. Enjoy this chapter! Remia...

The Challenge of Myths

By Star Otamon

Chapter 2: Across Prosperity Desert

There is a land... A land full of harmony... With its prosperous people... Of noble species... A land yet full of mysteries... No matter the unveiled... Snarleos remains the wonder... A land full of harmony

There was a dangerous climb up to the surface of the canyon and the only one. Sinzo removed the cuffs and freed Hikari once they were out of sight from Setista. Silence roamed while the travelers climbed the dangerous trail up Agony Canyons. Hikari rubbed her wrists from where the cuffs previously were, yet kept her comments to herself up the trail, though with the intention of asking Sinzo about the cuffs.

Once on the land above the canyon, Sinzo continued on and Venera floated in the air, close to the ground, rapidly yet silently flapping her fairy wings, also continuing on with Sinzo. After a few moments, both stopped, noticing that they were alone. They turned around to see the secretive traveler and Hikari sitting on the sands of Prosperity Desert, both looking tired from the climb.

Just as Sinzo and Venera started walking back, the secretive traveler stood up straight and stared back at Setista. From where they were standing and located, Setista was in view from above. Sinzo glanced at where the secretive traveler was staring at and noticed that what appeared to be a dwarf from what his sight could tell was leaving the gates of Setista. Sinzo sighed and shook his head, realizing that it was most likely the dwarf bounty hunter Iori Hida.

Venera stood with her feet on the ground knelt, looking over Hikari. She seemed fine, just a little tired from the climb. Hikari noticed Venera's worried stare.

"I'm a night elf huntress; I'm used to forests and the such, but not steep climbs and deserts, though I'm currently on the move in the desert." She explained.

Venera noticed.

"What are you doing?" The secretive traveler asked.

Venera glanced up at Sinzo and the secretive traveler, as did Hikari; getting back onto her feet. Sinzo had his left eye closed, an arrow in his bow and his bow aimed at the bounty hunter, who was moving further and further away from Setista, and closer and closer to the steep trail. Sinzo's right eye was focused on the bounty hunter and range between them and him.

"An elven ranger never misses his or her target. I can take him down from here if I wish." Sinzo informed, with his aim still on the bounty hunter.

"Don't." Hikari suddenly spoke. "He's been the only trouble and threat I've got since a bounty appeared on my head. There's no danger to one threat when there is four of us." She stated.

Sinzo followed his target and didn't take his eyes off of the bounty hunter.

"Do you have any weapons with you?" He asked.

Hikari shook her head, "not on me, but my huntress weapons are back in Young Owl; it's easier to enter a city like Setista without carrying weapons." She explained.

"Then you can't protect yourself. Enter a city unarmed doesn't apply to rangers like me, though I agree that it's true; not any wonderer or traveler can enter a city like Setista without a special and unique excuse. When you're known, there's no need for excuses. One threat? You think that this bounty hunter would be the only threat?" Sinzo asked, keeping his aim.

Hikari nodded, "I had no trouble coming to Setista from Young Owl." She assured.

"That's because you were alone. A group like the four of us is a tempting target. Centaurs would track us and follow us; Razormanes won't fear attacking us in their packs and let's not forget about the Dweller Worms. As far as I know, I'm the only one visibly armed, it's best to take down threats to minimize them." Sinzo reasoned.

Hikari blinked, "I didn't know." She whispered.

"It's true." Venera nodded. "I had to avoid and escape Razormanes; lose Centaurs, and fly over Dweller Worms. It was dangerous for me getting here." She agreed.

"Because fairies are tasty anywhere." The secretive traveler commented rudely.

Venera glared at the secretive traveler, and kept her comments to herself, not yet knowing who dared to insult her rudely when she was most vulnerable from such talk. Within a second, Sinzo shifted his aim from the bounty hunter towards the closer secretive traveler. The secretive traveler noticed, but held his ground.

"You might have your face in the shadow, but I know where the neck is in the body of any creature. Identify yourself and stop this mystery. Apologize to the fairy!" Sinzo growled, in a demanding tone.

"Wow! Wow. Let's just calm down here. The bounty hunter is having some trouble climbing up the trail... I think he's upset he has to climb it so soon after descending it. We're still in danger." Hikari reminded.

Sinzo kept silent and held his glare at the hooded traveler. The secretive traveler folded his arms and sighed.

"Very well. I can see we're all in this together, and in trouble with authorities one way or another." The traveler decided.

He removed the hood off of his head and showed his face. Sinzo winced, yet kept his aim and Venera gasped, recognizing him. Hikari just sighed and narrowed her eyes.

"You know, you did seem familiar." She commented.

The blue clean hair held still, while the blue eyes sparkled with calmness and kindness in them. Prince Ken Ichiouji stood there, staring back at Sinzo.

"I see you're still on the run Hikari." Ken commented.

Hikari chuckled, "and I see you're still the same rebellious prince!" She spat.

Ken rolled his eyes, "... behind you huntress." He whispered.

Hikari blinked, then her eyes widened. Also understanding his whisper, Sinzo swiftly shifted his aim to who was behind Hikari. Dwarf Bounty Hunter Iori Hida had his rifle armed, and aimed at Hikari's spine in her back.

"Well, well. I must congratulate you ranger. You used your fame to leave and give safe passage out of Setista for this outlaw huntress. You'd be wise enough not to try and stop me." Iori advised.

"... Where's your bear?" Venera asked.

"What?" Iori asked.

Venera shook her head, "nothing. I just know that dwarf riflemen travel with pet bears for company and combat." She explained.

Iori chuckled, keeping his aim on Hikari's back.

"My friend is in Setista. I left him there because I'm going back with my bounty. It would be wise huntress not to resist me and come peacefully." Iori advised.

Ken snickered, "ah loner! I just love Tauren." He grinned.

Iori blinked, noticing a shadow taller them him over him. Slowly, he wisely lowered his rifle and held his position. Sinzo also lowered his bow and arrow, noticing that the tauren had it all in control. The tauren warrior breathed down Iori's neck, sending a chill up his spine, even for a dwarf. Tauren were known for their strength and lethal melee combat, and Iori didn't want to test the Tauren's strength, especially one that was behind him.

"I must say to reconsider that." The tauren stated.

Iori mentally growled, put his rifle over his shoulder and walked down the steep trail, heading back to Setista. On his way down, he stopped and glanced back up, with the four travelers staring down at him. Iori knew he had a clear shot at the outlaw huntress from where he was, and that he was safe from the Tauren's melee strength. However, he preferred to bring his bounty in alive and so he didn't take the shot.

"Just remember this: this isn't over and I won't stop until I bring you to justice outlaw." Iori informed.

With that said, the bounty hunter continued on down the trail. Sinzo and his friends stared at the tauren who helped them. Sinzo put his arrow away and put his bow around his shoulder, over his back.

"I must thank you stranger for your help." He thanked, the only one to approach the tauren.

"No need Ranger Tracker. I just paid my dept. That was all." The tauren informed.

After saying that, the tauren walked down the trail, heading to Setista.

"Hey! Was he going to Setista in the first place?" Venera asked.

Sinzo blinked, staring at the Tauren's side until it vanished below, wondering what the tauren meant about his dept. Hikari glanced at Sinzo, also curious about the whole dept thing, yet saw the same confusion from him.

"How long has he been hunting you?" Ken asked, and then giggled to himself.

'A huntress being hunted, much less by a bounty hunter. How ironic.' He thought.

"For several weeks for now, since I left Feather Snow." Hikari replied.

The prince nodded, "shall we be on our way?" He asked, reminding the group of their venture across the desert.

Sinzo nodded and took the lead. Venera took her position beside Hikari in the middle, with Ken in the rear.


A few hours walking through Prosperity Desert and no threats approached them. Sinzo did see Centaurs and Razormanes in the distance from time to time, but they kept away. There was no sign of any Dweller Worms, yet. Hikari was getting more and more tired, but she pushed on. Ken was sweating heavily, yet he also pushed on, ignoring the sweat. Venera was the most that suffered; she barely kept up with Hikari, dragging her feet behind her, too tired to fly.

The sound of Venera collapsing easily got to Sinzo's long pointed ears. He rushed back and quickly got her in his arms before she fell into the sand. She was gasping for air and she had a bad fever. Sinzo noticed that Venera's eyesight was blurry from all the heat.

"How much further?" She asked, gasping.

"Young Owl is far. It would take two days for us to reach it." Sinzo replied, whispering.

Hikari stopped next to them and Ken stopped once reaching them.

"It would be nice to have horses. It would be easier on all of us." He commented.

"Wolves are better in the heat and faster, not to mention can fend for themselves." Hikari stated.

"What we really need now is a White Owl. Venera's in bad condition." Sinzo declared.

He noticed that the fairy suit made especially for the desert was making Venera more uncomfortable and helping in worsening her condition. Gently and kindly, but with haste, Sinzo carefully took off Venera's desert suit and it was fine, since she was already wearing her silver fairy suit beneath it, so she had something on other than the desert suit. Sinzo understood how Venera felt about such things and it was wise for her to keep her original suit on.

"Do you think you can grab onto my neck?" Sinzo whispered, taking off his bow and quiver of arrows.

Venera blinked, "what for?" She asked weakly.

"So that I can carry you." Sinzo replied.

"But your arrows and bows..." Venera started.

"I'll carry them for you Sinzo. I have my own personal melee weapon and I don't know how to use bow and arrow, so there's no need to worry about me using them. You can depend and trust me with them." Ken offered.

Sinzo nodded, "take them." He allowed.

Ken walked over to the quiver and put it over his right shoulder and carried the bow in his right hand over his shoulder. Sinzo noticed a sword in a sheath, dangling from a belt worn around the waist, under the coat. Sinzo grabbed onto Venera, careful not to hurt or injure her delicate wings, and she weakly held onto Sinzo's neck from his back. Sinzo held onto her small hands, tightening the grip she had around his neck and stood up straight onto his legs.

Once again Sinzo took the lead, just taking a glance at the tired looking Hikari. But a determined glare from Hikari made Sinzo look away. Ken walked beside Sinzo at a steady pace, with Hikari taking the rear. Sinzo kept his steady pace and eventually Venera fainted from the heat on Sinzo's back. Fortunately, it was late and the sun was starting to set.

"We should set up camp soon." Ken reminded.

Sinzo nodded. He glanced back at Hikari, making sure that she was still with them. Oddly enough, Hikari smiled in return. Sinzo blinked and turned his sight back in front of him. Hikari was smiling sweetly, because she was recalling and remembering the playful and happy times she had when she was younger with Daisuke; her older brother and the elven boy from the neighboring land whose name was Takeru, the boy who from when she last saw was a young man.

It was then that Hikari started to miss Takeru and start to realize her love for him. It was because of him that she went into Huntress Academy for female night elves in Feather Snow. Swiftly she became an excellent rider and quickly mastered her glaives. She and her pet panther became close friends. The pet panthers were chosen for the students and disciples; they couldn't choose their own and only a certain limit was allowed into Huntress Academy after every graduation.

Hikari had to take written tests and answer verbal questions to be qualified to become a disciple in Huntress Academy, Feather Snow. She passed easily on both verbal and written, and when the graduation was over, she entered it and first befriended her pet panther before training. Once in any Huntress Academy, a female night elf is allowed to choose from either training from the start or getting to know the pet panther first and relaxation with it.

Obviously Hikari had chosen the latter. She couldn't wait to return back to Young Owl; to her sisters in her Huntress Squad, which she was captain in; her brother, and her pet panther. She knew of Sinzo and how dangerous and lethal he was, yet how kind and caring he was rumored to be. She decided to take her chances and request his help. It came positively and Hikari didn't have to worry when she slept during the night in Prosperity Desert, not anymore.

She was almost certain that either Prince Ichiouji or Ranger Tracker would spend the night on watch. Most likely Ranger Tracker, because it appeared that he took a certain liking to the fairy. Hikari didn't mind and understood, considering it was the same way she felt towards her beloved Takeru Ishida, who was also currently an outlaw and on the run. So far, he hadn't been captured and there hasn't been any proof of his death, due to the fact that his body or corpse was never found.

Never found since his disappearance that is.


Fireballs burned the ground, arrows flew through the air and rifles roared, being fired by their dwarves. Black large dragons were flying through the air, launching fireballs at hapless humans; elves or dwarves. Smoke arose in the battlefield, covering it in a thick smoke cloud. Bandits emerged within the cloud, and knights and footmen held them off as best as they could, but more and more bandits appeared, while the humans; elves and dwarves lost more and more.

Gryphon Riders and Gyrocopters were no where in sight. It seemed that on their way over to the battle, they got lost somewhere in the desert. The battle wasn't lost yet though, as a familiar flying arrow went straight for an eye of a black dragon and pierced it. The black dragon immediately stopped its attacks on the humans; elves and dwarves, moving its head around ferociously, howling in pain.

Wisely, the humans; elves and dwarves swiftly withdrew organized, and the enraged black blind dragon started firing fireballs at random, out of rage and pain. Fireballs flew through the air, scaring other black dragons in the air and burning the bandits below. All the humans; elves and dwarves withdrew, except for one and the owner of the right aimed arrow stopped short, glancing in fear and worry at the one who engaged the confused enemies.

"Kamisai." The ranger whispered.

The so called Kamisai was an elven ranger from Kestian Land, but who lived in Young Owl. Unlike some other rangers, Kamisai chose to bare the so called famous, yet unique blade and sword, called The Owl Feather Soblard, along with his quiver of arrows and bow. With his Owl Feather, he hacked through the bandits smoothly, like a knife through butter. His foes tried to avoid or block his slashes, but he was too swift; deadly and merciless.

One of the scared black dragons, with smoke rising off of his burned and damaged scales, watched the hapless, yet dangerous elf, slash through the bandits. The black dragon's eyes narrowed and it opened his mouth, taking careful aim. Kamisai wasn't aware of the danger that faced him, but the ranger fearful for him noticed. He gasped and rushed towards his older brother, leaving the safety of the withdrawn allied humans; elves and dwarves behind him.

"Sinzo!" A female ranger yelled, barging through the retreating units.

An elven priest held her back, but the female ranger struggled. The priest proved to have more strength than the female ranger, and so he was successful in holding her back. The female ranger growled and stopped resisting, watching helpless. Sinzo rushed through the battlefield, with dead corpses of fellow comrades and more of the enemy bandits. He was closing on Kamisai, but he knew he would never reach him.

The black dragon let loose his fireball, deadly on his target. Heat was the first thing he felt, and he barely gasped before it collided into him. Sinzo slid on the bloody battleground and caught his older brother from behind, but it was too late. The fireball had already fried him, beyond recognition, like a burned corpse. Tears fell down Sinzo's eyes and he closed them, clenching tightly onto his deceased brother, weeping over him.


Sinzo jerked up and out of his sleep, with a gasp. He looked around him and saw his traveling comrades. He glanced up into the sky.

'I guess I didn't get over it as I thought I did.' He thought.

He sighed and glanced beside him, at the sleeping fairy. He started realizing that he was falling in love with the fairy, but he was afraid to fall in love and to be loved again, considering the tragic loss of his older brother in that deadly battle. Thanks to the sever coldness of the night, Venera's fever went away and Sinzo had already put her fairy desert suit back on so that she won't freeze to death in her sleep. Ken sensed motion behind him and guessed rightfully that Sinzo was awake.

"My shift is almost over. Care to take over in awhile?" He asked quietly.

"Sure." Sinzo replied quietly.

Ken nodded and went back to gazing off into the horizon. Sinzo shifted his sight towards the sleeping Hikari and understood that she was in a deep peaceful sleep. Happiness that she was in peaceful rest was what Sinzo felt for only a second, before he quickly tensed. He swiftly took an arrow out of his quiver nearby and grabbed his bow. He attached the arrow to the bow and aimed it at Hikari, who was sleeping on her stomach with her head turned towards him; eyes closed.

Sinzo closed his left eye and focused on Hikari, before letting the arrow loose on her. The aim was true and on time, as the arrow carried Hikari out of harms way, yet leaving a minor cut that would heal in time. A dweller worm burst through the sand, where moments before Hikari laid. Swiftly, Sinzo stood up on his feet and took another arrow out and aimed at the dweller worm. Ken noticed and rushed to his aid.

"Stop! I don't want to kill it. I just want to drive it back underground. Hold your ground Ichiouji." Sinzo ordered quietly.

Ken frowned and stopped next to Sinzo. Sinzo took careful aim at the dweller worm and swiftly let it loose. The arrow hit its mark and the dweller worm moaned in pain, quickly heading back underground. Sinzo lowered his bow and walked over to Hikari, who was still sleeping, but very much alive and with them. He carefully took his arrow out of his clothes, careful not to tear any cloth. He knelt down, putting his bow and arrow aside and cleaned Hikari's minor wound.

Hikari winced at the pain, but was so deep in sleep that she didn't wake up. Assured that the wound won't get infected, Sinzo walked away and got his second arrow, which was aimed at the dweller worm and stroke true, yet was reflected off. It didn't matter, as long as it was sufficient enough to drive the dweller worm back underground. Sinzo packed his two arrows back into his quiver and put it over his shoulder.

"Do you always retrieve your arrows?" Ken asked, whispering.

Sinzo shook his head and didn't bother in explaining.

"Your shift might not be over yet, but get your sleep. I'll take over from here." Sinzo informed quietly.

Ken nodded and laid down on his blanket, so tired that he easily and quickly drifted off to sleep. Sinzo just stared off into the horizon in silence for the rest of the night.


Sinzo was still awake the next morning and he had already taken off Venera's desert suit sometime after dawn. He was sitting down, cross-legged ready to continue on. The first movement of awakening he sensed was from Hikari and he knew instantly that he would have to answer some few questions she had. Hikari's eyes slowly opened and when she noticed she was further away from the group, her eyes widened.

She moved and winced when she felt little pain from the cut. She put her hand on it, felt the cut and sighed. She only saw that Sinzo was the only other one awake, as she expected. She took a breath and got up onto her feet, heading towards Sinzo. Sinzo didn't budge or move, yet knowing she was close to him. With careful movement of her body, Hikari sat down next to Sinzo.

"... I have a few things to ask you." She informed.

Sinzo grinned, out of pleasure of knowing it before hand.

"Fire away." He nodded.

"For one thing, why did you put the cuffs around my wrists so tightly?" Hikari asked.

Sinzo glanced at her and her wrists, noticing that they were fine. He knew it probably hurt her the day before after he took them off.

"To make it seem true. If the cuffs were too light on your wrists the guards might have noticed and seen through our attempt. I don't want to think of what would have happened if I had put them on too lightly and the guards noticed. Any other question?" He asked.

Hikari nodded, "just where did you get such cuffs? I only know that..." She started.

"... Bounty Hunters have such cuffs, if not the only people to have cuffs here in Snarleos." Sinzo sighed, interrupting Hikari.

Hikari nodded, and narrowed an eye.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" She asked.

"Nothing important. It's in my past and personal. I'd rather continue on with my life than remember such memories." Sinzo replied quietly.

Hikari blinked, "but that doesn't make sense. If you don't want to remember such memories, then get rid of the cuffs and stuff which remind you of them." She reasoned.

"I've thought of that, but decided against it for two reasons. One, it might come in handy and it did, and two, there are still some memories I want to hold on to." Sinzo explained.

"Oh." Hikari whispered.

"Anything else?" Sinzo asked.

"Yeah. Actually, there is. Did something happen last night?" Hikari asked.

Sinzo grunted, "nothing that we need to get into now." He replied.

Hikari raised an eyebrow, "is that so?" She asked.

"People think they know me, when they actually don't, or are partially correct." Sinzo informed, glancing at Hikari.

From the tone of his voice, Hikari understood that Sinzo didn't want to get into it any further. Anyhow, she'd find out sooner or later. For Sinzo, the cuffs and the event the previous night were related and had to deal with some joint bad memories. On the cuffs' side though, there were some good and nice, comfortable memories for Sinzo. From the movements behind them, both Sinzo and Hikari glanced back and saw Ken and Venera waking up.

Sinzo smiled, got up onto his feet and went over to Venera. He touched her forehead, and Venera silently glanced at Sinzo's quiet and somewhat worried face. Her lips gently, barely and momentarily twitched into a smile, but just as it appeared, it vanished. From what Sinzo could feel, the fever was gone and Venera's temperature was normal, from what he could tell.

"How are you feeling?" Sinzo asked, staring into Venera's eyes and removing his palm from Venera's forehead.

"Better." Venera replied quietly, staring back into Sinzo's eyes.

For a few moments, silence roamed and both Sinzo and Venera stared, unblinking, into each other's eyes. Breaking their moment together, Ken coughed. Sinzo swiftly turned towards him and Venera lowered her head, slightly blushing.

"I hate to break up such moments but we need to move on." Ken reminded.

"Of course." Sinzo nodded.

He turned back to Venera and Venera looked up into his face.

"Do you think you can handle a day walking?" He asked.

"Depends on when we arrive to Young Owl." She replied.

"Some time tomorrow morning if we keep our current pace." Sinzo stated.

"In that case, I'll be fine." Venera assured, getting up onto her feet.

Venera gently flapped her wings to see if they were working and fine. They were, and she flapped them silently and rapidly off of the ground a few inches. Sinzo got back up onto his feet and picked up Venera's desert suit voluntarily. Both Ken and Hikari noticed, yet both remained quiet. Venera mentally smiled to herself when she noticed. Sinzo took the lead and like before, Venera and Hikari kept in pace together in the middle and Ken took the rear.


Both Ken and Sinzo tensed, with Venture Pass in sight in the distance ahead. Sinzo prepared his bow and arrow, and Ken had his hand on his sword's handle, hidden underneath his coat. Venera didn't know why they were preparing, but she noticed Hikari, who was also tense.

"What is it?" Venera asked, with the four of them entering Venture Pass.

"Venture Pass now. A perfect location for ambush." Hikari replied.

"Most likely by Razormanes." Sinzo informed.

"Or Centaurs." Ken added.

Sinzo shook his head, "Centaurs aren't suitable to climb such cliffs. Razormanes can with their lethal and deadly claws." He reasoned.

Venture Pass was a pass that most travelers took to reach Young Owl, who was coming through Prosperity Desert. Travelers who ventured into Prosperity Desert went through Venture Pass. Venture Pass is named due to the fact that travelers venture out into Prosperity Desert. In Venture Pass, the sun's heat and rays were limited, and it was shady and cool. On both sides rose sheer canyon cliffs, with no trail up to them.

Only Razormanes were able to climb such sheer cliffs, and caves and caverns were located randomly in the desert cliffs. Venture Pass was the only location that assured a traveler of his or her location. Young Owl was still several hours walk away, yet Venture Pass was a little bit more than half a mile long and three yards wide. Rockslides were also common in Venture Pass, basically caused for ambush by Razormanes.

Ken and Sinzo were the two most alert, and Ken withdrew his sword from its sheath. It was light pink in color with the Ichiouji Crest on its handle, with the blade designed as a katana. The handle had cloth entangled around the metal so that the wielder of the sword had a firmer and easier grip on the blade. Sinzo stopped, with the others stopping behind him. He knelt down, scanning the cliffs and motioned Ken to lead them.

He obliged and quickly took the lead with his sword ready, knelt on his legs and his eyes alert.

"Hikari..." Sinzo started.

"Call me Kari or Mistress Yagami." Hikari interrupted.

Sinzo shrugged, "do you have any magic on your hands?" He asked, turning to her.

Hikari was knelt down close behind Sinzo and Sinzo had put Venera's desert suit on the ground. Venera had her feet on the ground and she was knelt as well. She noticed her desert suit on the ground and reclaimed it. Hikari frowned.

"Nothing useful." She sighed.

"Venera?" Sinzo asked.

Venera nodded, "a little. We do study wind magic in Vigilance." She informed.

Sinzo nodded and turned his head back forwards. With Ken on the watch ahead, Sinzo hurried his way knelt down and moving sideways, keeping alert to any ambushes. He allowed Hikari and Venera to pass on behind him. Venera and Hikari reached Ken and all three had stopped, were knelt down and looking around, keeping their eyes alert. Sinzo continued on moving sideways and he almost reached Venera; Hikari and Ken.

But both Hikari's pointed ears and Sinzo's pointed ears heard the faint whistle of wind as something was forced through it. Sinzo swiftly glanced upwards and immediately jumped back with his elf's agility, barely avoiding the large rock. It was as wide as the pass and it separated Sinzo from Venera; Hikari and Ken. Sinzo sweat-dropped upon noticing and understanding the ambush.

The Razormanes were cunning and smart, as they wanted to trap Sinzo alone and attack him melee style. They thought he'd be an easy target while he was alone. Sinzo knew that the Razormanes would concentrate on him. He glanced upwards and saw tens of Razormane sliding down the sheer cliffs, like they were racing. One of them snapped into the air and went for a high kick to Sinzo's head. Sinzo immediately ducked and rolled out of the way.

The lesser numbers of Razormane coming down the other side of the pass didn't reach the ground so safely. Venera summoned up some of her magic and cast a cyclone on one of the Razormane, sending the cyclone down to the ground, with the Razormane spinning in it high above in the air. With other Razormanes reaching the ground safely, Ken rushed into action and charged them with his family's sword.

Two Razormane were killed through Ken's charge. He stopped and turned around. One Razormane landed on the ground safely to his side and jumped at him. Ken put up his sword in defense, but the Razormane blocked it with his claws. Ken quickly backed away and the Razormane charged him. Ken spun around, spinning his sword with him, passing the Razormane, with Ken's sword slicing through the Razormane's belly before the spin was over.

Ken stood still, with his back turned, as did the Razormane. Eventually and moments later, the Razormane collapsed onto its knees and his upper body fell face first into the ground, with his lower body following, detached from its upper body. On the other side, Sinzo swiftly let loose the arrow, having it pierce the Razormane's heart, with it just beginning its charge. From the force of the impaling of the Razormane, it fell backwards onto its back, dead.

Only the faint shifting of the sand below him told Sinzo that a Razormane was behind him. The Razormane went for a slash on Sinzo's back, but Sinzo quickly ducked and rolled backwards onto his back. His legs pushed the Razormane with enough force into the canyon wall, yet not enough to break its spine. Without wasting a second, the Razormane charged, this time with Sinzo facing it.

"You have potential Sio, do it." Alleria whispered.

Time seemed to slow down, as Sinzo quickly recalled memories of when Alleria taught him some magic. Alleria was the first to call him Sio and Kamisai took up the pet name for his young brother and also had started calling Sinzo that. The memories occurred before the battle of Flaring Eyes, at a time when Alleria was more caring and sensitive. Alleria knew little of magic, yet enough to teach others how to unlock their own magic.

Sinzo recalled her teachings and he started doing some chanting in elfish. He closed his eyes and slowly, magic started to flow in between his hands, formed on his hands in green energy and with the same complex shape of the hand itself. Like a chained glove covering, so looked the green energy being released from him into his hands; focusing into them. The Razormane stopped short and blinked, out of fear and confusion.

Some sort of green energized sphere formed in Sinzo's open right hand, his eyes were still closed. He drew his arm backwards, lowered and with his palm still open and holding the 'ownalis' sphere in midair. Without hesitance Sinzo released the sphere, hitting the Razormane square in the center of its torso, instantly killing it. The Razormane fell to the ground, with its eyes closed, dead. Seeing this, the other Razormane on his side charged.

Sinzo winced in pain as he formed a circle of smaller ownalis spheres. Not wasting a second, Sinzo let loose the spheres in accurate and multiple directions, towards the multiple charging Razormane. Each ownalis sphere hit its direction with absolute accuracy and killed it, like the first Razormane. With the danger gone, Sinzo turned around and faced the boulder blocking his path.

He took a few steps back, directed his right open palm towards the boulder and quickly released a quickly large formed ownalis sphere at the boulder, shattering it and opening the path for Sinzo. Upon seeing him break through and with the rest of their comrades dead, the surviving Razormane on the other side instantly withdrew. Sinzo relaxed himself and took a moment to observe his friends' current status, his energy and magic seeping back into him.

Ken was sweating and panting, with his sword dripping red blood from the dead Razormane around him. Venera was out of breath and knelt on her knees, with her on the ground and Hikari seemed fine, just observing the fights and keeping on the sidelines. Sinzo walked over to his quiver of arrows and bow and picked them up, taking them. He left the arrow that killed the first Razormane in the Razormane.

Venera stood onto her legs and like Ken and Hikari, just stared speechless at Sinzo.

"We still have a few hours to reach Young Owl. We've wasted and lost time, which we'll have to regain, unfortunately through walking all night." He informed.

Venera moaned and Hikari approached her.

"At least we'll rest once we reach Young Owl." Ken reminded.

Sinzo shook his head, "it doesn't seem like that. Once we reach Young Owl, we might have to go into battle again. I can sense that Young Owl is in some danger, considering this ambush that the Razormane setup to slow us down." He explained.

"It seems there's more to Sinzo than we thought." Hikari whispered.

Only Venera heard her and nodded in agreement.

"... You mean the Razormane were never meant to kill us?" Venera asked.

Sinzo shrugged, "that wasn't the main purpose, but it would be a bonus if they succeeded in killing us." He explained.

Ken nodded in agreement with Sinzo.

"If they were meant to kill us, the surviving Razormane would have fought us to the death and not flee." He reasoned.

"We better get moving on." Hikari decided.

"Yes... When night approaches Venera, I'd advise you to wear your desert suit." Sinzo advised.

Venera nodded and the four of them continued on through the pass, without any more ambushes being sprung up. They passed through it safely without any further events and walked on silently into the desert, closer to Young Owl now. Like the first time, Sinzo was in the lead, carrying his quiver and bow; while Hikari and Venera were in the center, keeping pace with each other and with Venera hovering a few inches over the ground; Ken took the rear, sheathing his sword.

There is a land... A land full of harmony... With its prosperous people... Of noble species... A land yet full of mysteries... No matter the unveiled... Snarleos remains the wonder... A land full of harmony